Pat Pilcher: Is Google going to launch a smartwatch?

The rumour mill has switched into overdrive amidst speculation that Google is about to launch a smartwatch, supposedly codenamed the "Gem".

The move follows the massive amount of fanfare and hype generated around the whole smartwatch genre as Pebble Smartwatch broke Kickstarter funding records before launching. Hype was further accelerated by rumours of an Apple smartwatch and the launch of Samsung Galaxy Gear.

Rumours around a Google smartwatch are nothing new. Earlier this year, Android website, Android Authority, said that a Google smartwatch was demoed at Google's HQ after being showcased in Google's EU and UK offices.

The consensus is that the smartwatch will be made by Motorola, and its user interface will resemble Google Now cards. Like both the Pebble and the Galaxy Gear, the Gem watch will need to be linked to a smartphone (I'd wager that there'll be no support for Blackberry, Windows Mobile or iOS) and apps are supposedly already being internally tested by select Google staff.

It also appears that there may be some legitimate grounding to mounting levels of gossip as it appears Google filed for a smartwatch patent way back in 2011. All is set to be revealed at the end of October when the rumour mill has it the Gem will launch alongside Google's latest Android confection, KitKat and their latest Nexus handset.